![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() A number of witnesses gave heartbreaking and, at times, harrowing accounts of their own experiences of suicide and suicidality. Significantly, the Chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force acknowledged for the first time the link between what happens in service and negative, potentially tragic, outcomes for veterans. The Secretary of DVA, Alison Frame, was also asked about ongoing cultural and systemic challenges within her department. Commissioner Kaldas acknowledged the progress towards simplifying the legislation governing veterans’ entitlements and the clearing of the backlog of unprocessed claims as significant results. But he stressed there is still much work to be done. “The Commission will be watching closely over coming months to see whether or not the 73,700 claims with a DVA officer as at 29 February this year are dealt with in a more timely manner, and whether their ‘business-as-usual’ approach delivers faster decisions for veterans, and their families, who historically have been driven to the brink – and in some tragic cases, beyond – while waiting years for their claims to be even looked at,” he said. Commissioners Kaldas, Peggy Brown and James Douglas will now turn their attention to completing their final report, which is due to the Governor-General by 9 September this year. They will also continue to work through the outstanding private sessions, supported by Assistant Commissioners Bob Atkinson and Dr Susan Young, to ensure those who asked to share their experiences with the Royal Commission have the opportunity to do so before the inquiry wraps up. ![]() Commissioners Nick Kaldas, Peggy Brown and James Douglas have spoken frankly about the need for a powerful new body to ensure Government and relevant agencies implement the long-overdue reforms required to address the national tragedy of Defence and veteran suicide. The Royal Commission’s final public hearing examined how deeply embedded military culture and failures of leadership, governance and accountability over many decades have contributed to high rates of suicide and suicidality among serving and ex-serving ADF members. Despite 57 related inquiries and almost 770 recommendations in the 20 to 30 years preceding the Royal Commission, there has been no improvement in suicide rates. Commissioners engaged in a robust discussion with members of the Afghanistan Inquiry Implementation Oversight Panel – Dr Vivienne Thom, Robert Cornall and Professor Rufus Black — about the role such an oversight body might play in ensuring mistakes from the past are not repeated. The Royal Commission appreciated the insights provided by the members of the Panel, which was appointed by Government to provide independent oversight and assurance of Defence’s response to the high-profile Brereton Inquiry. Commissioners are determined to deliver a final report in September with robust, evidence-based findings and practical recommendations to deliver real, meaningful and long-lasting improvements to the lives and livelihoods of serving and ex-serving ADF members, and their families. Commissioner Brown reflected on a level of cynicism in the Defence and veteran community about Defence’s ability and willingness to change without independent oversight. “[I]’m putting myself in the shoes of many people out there, I’m sure, saying: “How do we trust that it’s going to happen?” It’s not like this issue of suicide has just occurred. There’s been data coming for decades and we’ve talked a couple of times in the last couple of weeks around the sense that the thing Defence does best is defend Defence. I think, quite frankly, it makes the trust that it will change harder when there’s a sense that Defence is good at defending Defence.” – Commissioner Brown Mr Kaldas said key to the Royal Commission’s success will be an enduring, powerful body to hold Government, the ADF, Defence, DVA and other relevant agencies, as well as State and Territory governments, to account – to make sure they prioritise the major, long-term and complex reforms that are required. “This is a complex, multilayered problem that will take many years to try and grapple with. But we’ve also said … that you can’t keep doing the same thing the same way over and over again and expecting the result to come out different. We have to look for something dramatically different to try and change the trajectory on which these (suicide) figures are on.” – Commissioner Kaldas Commissioner Douglas said a new oversight body set up to monitor implementation of the Royal Commission’s recommendations could maintain a “relentless focus” on the issues and help drive cultural and systemic reforms. “The idea of a body to extend beyond us is perhaps anchored in that concept, not least because the bodies that may have provided some oversight, or have been intended to provide some oversight, don’t appear to have made a difference in respect of the issue of suicidality. The figures have remained the same. The way I conceive of it at least is that it can be a burr in the saddle at a time when they (Defence) are otherwise preoccupied by very significant matters relating to our strategic position in the world, but it’s a burr that will provide an impetus to keep thinking about this issue and do something about it.” – Commissioner Douglas Who said what at final hearing The Royal Commission’s final public hearing was an opportunity to ask hard questions of senior ministers, the military’s leadership and departmental heads about how we’ve got to where we are today – and, most importantly, how we avoid making the same mistakes moving forward. We again heard from veterans, and their loved ones, about the challenges they have faced in and out of service – and of failures across the veteran ecosystem to provide much needed support in a timely manner. Here we take a look back at who said what during the Royal Commission’s last public hearing block. ![]() Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() They will continue to hold private sessions over coming months to ensure everyone who has sought to share their story at a private session will have the opportunity to do so. Commissioner Kaldas said the lived experience of past and present ADF members, and their loved ones, sits at the heart of the Royal Commission – and their voices continue to inform the inquiry. “We know how important these sessions are to veterans and their families, and the catharsis and validation they bring to so many people impacted by suicide and suicidality.” – Commissioner Kaldas Enquiries You can call us on 1800 329 095 or +61 2 5122 3105, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday to Friday AEST, excluding public holidays. For a free-of-charge translator or interpreter phone the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450. Ask to be connected to 02 5122 3105. Or you can email us at [email protected]. Get support Contact us ![]() ![]() Website: https://defenceveteransuicide.royalcommission.gov.au | Email: [email protected] 1800 329 095 or +61 2 5122 3105 ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Newsletter | Edition 28
8 May 2024